Every once in awhile you see a movie that truly hits on all cylinders. The combination of script, direction, acting, and score reminding you why you decided to give up a few hours and $13 hard earned dollars. J. Edgar, sadly, is not one of those movies. But it could have been. And that's what makes is so very sad indeed.
Its a noble feat to try and nail down such a larger than life figure as J. Edgar Hoover, while also in some significant way telling the story of the closest thing he had to a child- The Federal Bureau of Investigation. Its also no small feat to try and tell a love story. Particular a somewhat imagined love story between two men of questionable intimacy and connection who may or may not have been lovers while leading the aforementioned FBI.
The same affliction affects both parts of the story arch. First, any love story should contain at least some minor explanation of where the love comes from. Perhaps it is a conversation, perhaps a chance meeting but there has to be some connection that weaves two souls together if the story of their multi-decade affair is to be believed. This movie offers no explanation for the connection-- only that there was one. It almost suggests they were together simply out of opportunity. That would explain a hook-up, but not fifty years. As a reult there is a failure to answer an obvious and fascinating question. If they were lovers, then what about this one man, in the face of a time, a mother, and a self that was not accepting of anything close to gay-- what about this one man was enough to bring this desire to the surface. Where was the spark that lit this smoldering flame in a way that defied even Edgar's own mother's stated interested that she would prefer a dead son than a "Daffodil".
The other arch is equally left to whiter, half completed on its vine. Did the FBI offer J. Edgar something to build his own imagine in to prove his independence from his mothers long and demanding shadow, or was it a tribute to her faith in him. Was at his core, J. Edgar the exact opposite of all he seemed to be--and was expected to be, or was his life a testament to it. We are offered no glimpse of honor in his soul, only a wimpish naivete that is reflected in childish behavior at every turn-- and every age. This is simply unrealistic for a man such as Hoover.
There had to be at least some ingratiating moment-- quality or action. The loyalty is there--in his proposed lover, in his life long secretary-- from where does this come. No matter what his faults, no man remains at the helm of any entity (federal or private) for so long without doing some good. In this way Hoover is like his contemporay-- Robert Moses, and this film could have used much of the total prosepctive found in Caro's Power Broker. In the words of the theme to the Facts of Life-- "You take the good, you take the bad".. and you end up with any figure who is front and center in public life for an uncommonly long time. Again, we are left without clues as to the spark except in a negative blackmailing way--as though the only source of his power and longevity were the infmaous files in a way more reminenscent of the Lord of the Ring than a public servent passionate about the service of his agency. Instead, we are encouraged only to stare and gawk at an angry little man and wonder how in god's name he obtained any love or any power at all, much less held onto it.
Certainly he was a contrast-- whether between the public and the private of himself, or of his agency, or both, but this contrast is best examined when we are given both sides. Not just one and left to assume or guess or just take at face value the other.
Given the level of creative licence taken with the historical record in this film, it would certainly not be a stretch to ask the director and writer to fill in the greys with just a bit more color from both sides of the prospective. Doing so would have made much stronger case--and left us with a more convincing portrait of a man who I understand even less today than I did before I saw the film-- and that is even sadder still.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
To those in Ohio.
I wanted to take some time out and congratulate my Ohio friends and family on their successful efforts to overturn the Ohio Law limiting collective bargaining. Perhaps the best indication of what occurred is in that only six of Ohio's 88 counties voted in favor of the measure, a resounding defeat for Governor John Kasich-- a man who maybe know begins to understand that he was not voted into office because of a statewide embrace of his policies, but because of the fear of Ohio residents weathering an economic crisis most had never seen in their lives. I take a great deal of pride in the fact that my home state is largely one of moderation, despite the best efforts of some to make it otherwise. Maybe now, the Governor will focus on tasks that would help save Ohio money, improve services, and increase jobs.
http://vote.sos.state.oh.us/pls/enrpublic/f?p=130:15:0
To help get him started, here are some suggestions
1. Partner with local governments and unions to develop a plan for reducing the number of Ohio Township's and island villages in urban areas. These unnecessary layers of bureaucracy still exist in many places where they shouldn't. Franklin and Hamilton county, for example, should long ago annexed all land into cities-- which are designed and intended to be the form of government for urban areas.
2. Partner with Ohio universities and colleges to match enterprising students who want to start businesses or engage in the creative arts with communities in need. By using available public and private space in these communities partnered with the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of those starting out-- poorer communities could become incubators of young talent and economic innovation.
3. Partner with the existing top 500 employers in the state to determine what local and state governments can do to encourage these companies to expand their workforces. Through job sharing, working from home, internship programs and similar programs, it is much easier to grow what already exists, at least in the short term, to improve economic opportunity.
4. Focus on the State's educational system, in partnership with local communities and unions, to bring best practice's models of teaching to Ohio's schools at all levels. Match the efforts of Vocational High Schools and two year colleges on the industries with demands for new employees and the skills that are required of a modern-workforce. Companies such as Honda, Boeing, and other manufacturers need a specialized workforce-- one that many other states do not have-- in order to do 21st Century Manufacturing.
5. Local communities must be supported in all efforts to reduce crime, blight, and other issues that are affecting Ohio's cities. People will not live in communities that they do not feel safe in. Partnerships between government, law enforcement, public safety unions, and community groups should develop an immediate action plan to decrease crime in all of Ohio, especially its urban core.
6. Develop legislation that allows the unemployed to be utilized for public works projects across the state for reduced wages in addition to unemployment benefits. Even at 20 hours per week, getting people back to work on projects that benefit the community also benefits the worker. Combined with twenty hours a week attending classes in a state university or an employment training program, the unemployed could obtain valuable skills and training while working in their local communities to address significant needs.
7. With land and construction costs currently low, labor costs low, and the state in crisis-- now is the time for Ohio to invest in critical infrastructure needs-- even if it requires debt financing. The long term borrowing costs will be incredibly low as will the outlays. Therefore, a state needs bank, based on counties, should be developed. By identifying the ten most outdated facilities or infrastructure items in each county, limited funds could be directed to fund these critical projects. Public Safety; Education; and Bridges/Highways could be addressed at a starting amount of, for example, $5 million per area per county. If communities are encouraged to use matching funds on a one for one basis, a total of $30 million per county could be put to use improving critical needs, increasing jobs, and saving money in the process.
8. Ohio must again become a State of tolerance for all persons and a symbol of the moderation that used to be so common in the Midwest. Efforts must be taken to remove the 2004 anti-gay marriage amendment from the state Constitution. The young people of the state who graduate from its high schools and universities are not in favor of anti-gay measures. statistics show that these young people- those who will be the new innovators-- are leaving the state in droves. This is not a recipe for long term success and does not encourage a climate of growth and new ideas. This issue must be addressed- and soon.
9. Ohio Law should be changed to encourage new development to be more dense and in-fill in nature wherever possible. One of the most significant elements to the rising cost of services in Ohio is that so much growth has occurred in areas where services from sewers to waterlines to schools to firehouse had to be built from scratch. Encouraging development in already developed areas rather than in a "sprawl" fashion, allows existing resources to be better utilized and costs and services to be more easily maintained. This is reflected in lessened capital costs, less personnel costs, and, in the end, reduced taxes for local residents.
10. Immediately begin an effort to reduce costs in two critical areas: Health Care and the Prison population-- together these two areas are critical pieces of most states budget problems. They are also, in many ways linked. By getting all residents of Ohio access to affordable quality health care and focusing on juvenile crime prevention and rehabilitation-- the impacts on local and state budgets are lessened, crime is reduced and communities are safer.
11. Listening. The people of Ohio are a smart, creative, and pragmatic bunch. They have the ideas about how to make better their local communities and how to involve their neighbors in a process of solving problems. To solve any problem-- Ohio has to again become a state where the opinions of all are valued, and people of a different political stripe, or a different church, different age, or different orientation are looked to as part of the solution-- Not part of the problem. If this is where Ohio starts on it's newday, then all things will truly be possible.
http://vote.sos.state.oh.us/pls/enrpublic/f?p=130:15:0
To help get him started, here are some suggestions
1. Partner with local governments and unions to develop a plan for reducing the number of Ohio Township's and island villages in urban areas. These unnecessary layers of bureaucracy still exist in many places where they shouldn't. Franklin and Hamilton county, for example, should long ago annexed all land into cities-- which are designed and intended to be the form of government for urban areas.
2. Partner with Ohio universities and colleges to match enterprising students who want to start businesses or engage in the creative arts with communities in need. By using available public and private space in these communities partnered with the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of those starting out-- poorer communities could become incubators of young talent and economic innovation.
3. Partner with the existing top 500 employers in the state to determine what local and state governments can do to encourage these companies to expand their workforces. Through job sharing, working from home, internship programs and similar programs, it is much easier to grow what already exists, at least in the short term, to improve economic opportunity.
4. Focus on the State's educational system, in partnership with local communities and unions, to bring best practice's models of teaching to Ohio's schools at all levels. Match the efforts of Vocational High Schools and two year colleges on the industries with demands for new employees and the skills that are required of a modern-workforce. Companies such as Honda, Boeing, and other manufacturers need a specialized workforce-- one that many other states do not have-- in order to do 21st Century Manufacturing.
5. Local communities must be supported in all efforts to reduce crime, blight, and other issues that are affecting Ohio's cities. People will not live in communities that they do not feel safe in. Partnerships between government, law enforcement, public safety unions, and community groups should develop an immediate action plan to decrease crime in all of Ohio, especially its urban core.
6. Develop legislation that allows the unemployed to be utilized for public works projects across the state for reduced wages in addition to unemployment benefits. Even at 20 hours per week, getting people back to work on projects that benefit the community also benefits the worker. Combined with twenty hours a week attending classes in a state university or an employment training program, the unemployed could obtain valuable skills and training while working in their local communities to address significant needs.
7. With land and construction costs currently low, labor costs low, and the state in crisis-- now is the time for Ohio to invest in critical infrastructure needs-- even if it requires debt financing. The long term borrowing costs will be incredibly low as will the outlays. Therefore, a state needs bank, based on counties, should be developed. By identifying the ten most outdated facilities or infrastructure items in each county, limited funds could be directed to fund these critical projects. Public Safety; Education; and Bridges/Highways could be addressed at a starting amount of, for example, $5 million per area per county. If communities are encouraged to use matching funds on a one for one basis, a total of $30 million per county could be put to use improving critical needs, increasing jobs, and saving money in the process.
8. Ohio must again become a State of tolerance for all persons and a symbol of the moderation that used to be so common in the Midwest. Efforts must be taken to remove the 2004 anti-gay marriage amendment from the state Constitution. The young people of the state who graduate from its high schools and universities are not in favor of anti-gay measures. statistics show that these young people- those who will be the new innovators-- are leaving the state in droves. This is not a recipe for long term success and does not encourage a climate of growth and new ideas. This issue must be addressed- and soon.
9. Ohio Law should be changed to encourage new development to be more dense and in-fill in nature wherever possible. One of the most significant elements to the rising cost of services in Ohio is that so much growth has occurred in areas where services from sewers to waterlines to schools to firehouse had to be built from scratch. Encouraging development in already developed areas rather than in a "sprawl" fashion, allows existing resources to be better utilized and costs and services to be more easily maintained. This is reflected in lessened capital costs, less personnel costs, and, in the end, reduced taxes for local residents.
10. Immediately begin an effort to reduce costs in two critical areas: Health Care and the Prison population-- together these two areas are critical pieces of most states budget problems. They are also, in many ways linked. By getting all residents of Ohio access to affordable quality health care and focusing on juvenile crime prevention and rehabilitation-- the impacts on local and state budgets are lessened, crime is reduced and communities are safer.
11. Listening. The people of Ohio are a smart, creative, and pragmatic bunch. They have the ideas about how to make better their local communities and how to involve their neighbors in a process of solving problems. To solve any problem-- Ohio has to again become a state where the opinions of all are valued, and people of a different political stripe, or a different church, different age, or different orientation are looked to as part of the solution-- Not part of the problem. If this is where Ohio starts on it's newday, then all things will truly be possible.
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